Sneak Peek: Sketched Birthday Invitation

Here it is...another sneak peek of the brand new Sketched Birthday set that I received while in Orlando.  I did a bit more watercoloring with this one, though.  I'm completely in love with the Honeycomb embossing folder, too!  While there is no punch to make those hexagon inserts, it was pretty easy to make them.  I simply ran some scraps through my Big Shot in the Honeycomb embossing folder, then cut along the embossed lines.  It was very easy to do, and since I wasn't trying to fill each spot, it too very little time.  I crumpled up the Early Espresso card stock to give it some texture, which is just what this card needed.

Stamps:  Sketched Birthday (coming June 1!)
Ink:  Jet Black Staz-On (101406), Crumb Cake (126975), Soft Suede (126978), Daffodil Delight (126944), and Rich Razzleberry (126950) Classic Ink
Paper:  Rich Razzleberry (115316), Early Espresso (119686), Daffodil Delight (119683), and Naturals White (102316) card stock, Watercolor Paper (122959)
Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Honeycomb Embossing Folder (129378), Apothecary Accents Framelits (127003), Aquapainters (103954)

Floral Fusion

My sad news from yesterday just keeps getting sadder.  Not only can I not crochet, but I can't stamp, either.  I know.  It's the worst.  I'm also not supposed to be using the computer much, so this will be short and sweet.  It's a weird nerve thing going on and when I do certain things, my arm starts to go numb.  Not good.  Hopefully a few days of rest will take care of it, though.  Thank goodness this card is so easy...I won't have to type much about it!

There is very little stamping, as you can see, and lots of Big Shot(ing).  I realize that's not a real word, but for today, it's going to be.  One punch, plus a sizzlet, an embossing folder, and a set of framelits, and that's pretty much it.  And the color combinations are endless!

Stamps:  Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Ink:  Lucky Limeade (126984)

Paper:  Naturals White (102316), Lucky Limeade (122926), Calypso Coral (122925), and So Saffron (105118) card stock

Accessories:  Big Shot (113439), Square Lattice Embossing Folder (119976), Floral Fusion Sizzlet (115969), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), 1 1/4" Square Punch (119865), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Button Buddies Flower

I got some sad news today.  I don't think I've mentioned this before, but I crochet a LOT.  I just need to be doing something with my hands while I'm watching TV, and that's the perfect thing to do.  But because of that, I now have a crocheting injury and have to stop for a few days.  :(  But that's the bad news.  The good news is that I have a box of stamping goodies scheduled to arrive today, and now I'll have more time to stamp!

This cute little card just makes me happy on a dreary day like it is today here in PA.  I love the flower in the Button Buddies set.  It looks great by itself, but I decided to jazz it up a bit by stamping it three times, then cutting out each layer.  Actually, the flower can be punched with the 1 3/4" scallop circle punch, so I really only had to cut two layers.  I topped it off with a button from the Neutrals Designer Buttons.  It's such a simple card, but sometimes simple is best.  This didn't take long to make, yet it's still cute.  Don't feel like you have to make an elaborate card every time you sit down to stamp.  Sometimes simple really is best!

Stamps:  Button Buddies (122735), Teeny Tiny Wishes (115370)

Ink:  More Mustard (126964), VersaMark (102283)

Paper:  Naturals Ivory (101849), Early Espresso (119686), and Very Vanilla (101650) card stock, Orchard Harvest DSP (retired)

Accessories:  Early Espresso Quilted Satin Ribbon (retired), 1 3/4" Scallop Circle Punch (119854), Adorning Accents Edgelits (125595), Big Shot (113439), Neutrals Designer Buttons (119743), Paper Piercing Tool (126189), Essentials Paper-Piercing Pack (126187), Paper-Piercing Mat (126199), Early Espresso Baker's Twine (123124), Early Espresso Stampin' Emboss Powder (128980), Heat Tool (129053), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Sneak Peek: Sketched Birthday

Want to see a sneak peek of a BRAND NEW stamp set that will be coming out in the 2013-2014 Catalog?  You just did. :)  That adorable piece of cake is part of a set called Sketched Birthday.  I received this set when I was at Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference.  It was at the very end of the day, and we had to leave the convention center by a certain time in order to meet the car that was going to take us to the airport.  We thought we'd allowed enough time, but the session went longer than planned, and we were getting very close to needing to leave.  However, we could see Stampin' Up! employees standing at the doors with boxes, so we just knew we were going to get one more fabulous give-away.  There was no way we were going to miss out on that, so as things started winding down, we edged over to the door, and were the first ones to get this adorable set.  And then we were out the door, sprinting over to our hotel.  We got there with two minutes to spare, although the car service seemed to think that we had already left.  I'm not sure how we would have done that, since they were providing our ride!

Anyway, this set is SO CUTE!  I'm not allowed to show you a picture of the set, just samples, but take my word for it...it's adorable!  And remember the other day when I said that I don't really like line art style images?  Yeah, well, that apparently doesn't hold true when it comes to this set.  The more I look at it, the more I like it.  Oh, and the cute little banner at the bottom...it's just one of three in the set, which all coordinate with the Bitty Banners Framelits.  Other images in the set coordinate with other punches and Framelits as well.  That just increases my love. :)  Be sure to check back later this week, when I'll have another sneak peek of this set!

Stamps:  Sketched Birthday (available on June 1!)

Ink:  Jet Black Staz-On Ink (101406), Whisper White Craft Ink (101731), Regal Rose (126947), Soft Suede (126978), and Basic Gray (126981)

Paper:  Soft Suede (115318), Crumb Cake (120953), and Pink Pirouette (111351) card stock, Watercolor paper (122959)

Accessories:  Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Big Shot (113439(, Argyle Embossing Folder (127750), White Embossing Powder (109132), Heat Tool (129053), Crumb Cake Seam Binding Ribbon (122332), Very Vanilla Seam Binding Ribbon (120999), Aqua Painters (103954), 2 1/2" Circle Punch (120906), Stampin' Dimensionals (104430)

Oh, Hello!

The Oh, Hello set was one that I received at Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference.  And honestly, I wasn't sure I would really use it that much.  At first glance, it's not really my style.  Or so I thought.  I have to say, my style has definitely changed over the past couple of years.  I've always been drawn to the bold images rather than line art that requires watercoloring.  And I don't tend to like ornate things.  Or vintage.  Except that now I sort of do.  I think that after fighting the vintage craze for a couple of years, I've finally started to embrace it.  I'm pretty sure that the crochet trim has helped...how can you not love a style that uses that gorgeous trim?  I LOVE that stuff!

So, the card.  I stamped the large oval image with Soft Suede ink onto Crumb Cake card stock.  I'd love to tell you that I cut it out with my new oval Framelits, but I'd be lying.  They are on a truck somewhere between Utah and Pennsylvania right now.  But let's just pretend that I cut it out with the Framelits, shall we?  Because I most definitely would have, had they been in my possession.  I roughed up the edge with the new Stampin' Distress Tool...what a fabulous new toy!  I did the same thing on the smaller oval.  So fun!  I sponged Soft Suede ink all over this card...not just the base, but on each of the layers.  It adds a bit of dimension, which I think is a must.  Some pearls, linen thread, and of course, my favorite crochet trim add the final touch.

Just a word about the images down the side of the card...the image has been repeated five times.  I highly recommend getting this set in wood mount, as using the Stamp-a-ma-jig is most definitely necessary.  I find that much easier to use with wood mount stamps rather than clear mount.  

Stamps:  Oh, Hello (130730)

Ink:  Soft Suede (126978), Crumb Cake (126975), and Marina Mist (126962) Classic Ink Pads, Marina Mist (119679), So Saffron, Crumb Cake (120967), and Old Olive (100079) Stampin' Around Markers

Paper:  Naturals Ivory (101849), So Saffron ( ), and Crumb Cake (120953) card stock

Accessories:  Linen Thread (104199), Crochet Trim (118481), Pearl Basic Jewels (119247), Extra-Large Oval Punch (119859), Bitty Banners Framelits (129267), Big Shot (113439), Stampin' Distress Tool (127562), Stampin' Sponge (101610) Stamp-a-ma-jig (101049), Ovals Collection Framelits (129381)

Bright Blossoms

Here's a super quick card for today.  Using the Peekaboo Frames Die and my trusty Big Shot, I made a little window for the flower.  The window even opens...sorry, I neglected to take a picture of it closed!  A little bit of Summer Smooches Designer Series Paper and some Daffodil Delight card stock that took a trip through the Big Shot in the Chevron Embossing Folder both add a bit of interest and texture.

Stamps:  Bright Blossoms, Teeny Tiny Wishes

Ink:  Island Indigo and Lucky Limeade Classic Ink, Whisper White Craft Ink

Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Island Indigo, and Whisper White card stock, Summer Smooches DSP

Accessories:  Big Shot, Peekaboo Frames Die, Chevron Embossing Folder, Daffodil Delight 1/8" Taffeta Ribbon

Flower Folds Stitching

Want to see how I spent my weekend? Cute, huh?

I've been wanting to make a messenger bag for a while.  I homeschool my kids, and we often go on field trips to museums or other places that require walking around all day.  I tend to carry a very large purse, and it starts to hurt my shoulder and back after a couple of hours of lugging it around.  What can I say?  I like to always have a book with me at all times, plus my wallet is really a day timer that weighs a ton.  Throw in keys, a couple of notebooks, a small Bible, some Epi-pens, and various other items, and it adds up (and no, I don't always carry all these things with me on a field trip, but it still gets heavy!)  I thought that making a messenger bag that I could wear across my body would help tremendously on these field trips.  But I've only thought about making one, and haven't done it.  Until I saw my cousin after Christmas.  She had a super cute messenger bag that she had made.  She also had a super cute flower pinned to it.  So I decided to copy her. :)  And I'm so glad I did!

I love this bag.  The best part is that it cost me less than $10 to make, and that was only because I had to buy thread, zippers, and a magnetic snap.  I had tons of the heavier weight brown fabric laying around, waiting to be put to use in reupholstering a piece of furniture (who knows when that will actually happen!)  I wanted to use Stampin' Up!'s Spice Cake Designer Fabric for the lining and ruffle, but I didn't have enough.  So instead, I repurposed one of husband's old shirts.  It was a favorite of mine, so I'm glad I could give it a new life.

I even copied my cousin's flower.  I used the Flower Folds Die and my Big Shot and am thrilled with the result.  Oh, and the button in the middle...it came off my husband's old coat.  Yeah, we don't waste a lot around here. :)

Hope you enjoyed a peek at my latest sewing project.  My kids both want to make smaller versions for themselves, so more pictures are sure to come!

Happy Sale-a-Bration Day!

It's here!  Sale-a-Bration starts TODAY!!!!  In the Stampin' Up! world, this is the happiest time of the year, because who doesn't love FREE stuff?!?!  For every $50 you spend from the Stampin' Up! catalogs, you can choose one item from the SAB brochure! 

And what better card to show today than one that uses some free SAB stamps? This one features the Madison Avenue stamp set.  This is a great set, as it lends a fun look to a card and the simple images make it easy to whip up a cute card quickly.  Some white embossing on Tangerine Tango card stock helps to make the flower pop. 

If you'd like to get this stamp set for FREE, call or email me to place an order.  Or, as always, you can order straight from my online store.

Stamps:  Madison Avenue, Itty Bitty Banners

Ink:  Whisper White Craft Ink, Lucky Limeade Classic Ink

Paper:  Daffodil Delight, Lucky Limeade, and Whisper White card stock, Summer Smooches DSP

Accessories:  Fancy Fan embossing folder, Lucky Limeade 3/8" Ruffled Ribbon, White Stampin' Emboss Powder, Heat Tool, Brights Designer Buttons, White Baker's Twine, Bitty Banners Framelits, Big Shot, 1 1/4" Scallop Circle Punch

Madison Avenue

Don't you just love Sale-a-bration time?  I DO!!!!  And it starts tomorrow!  I have an order just waiting for tomorrow. :)  But I was able to pre-order some of the sets, and decided on the Madison Avenue stamp set.  I thought it went well with the Alhambra jumbo wheel from the 2012-2013 Catalog, and I've been wanting to use that on a card, so this was the perfect excuse.  Not that I need an excuse, right?  I also really like the color combination of Island Indigo, Pool Party, and Calypso Coral in the International Bazaar Designer Series Paper.  I don't think that I would have chosen these colors on my own, but that's one of the things I love about Stampin' Up!...they've done the thinking for me. :)   But my favorite part of this card is the sponging around the edge of the top piece of Island Indigo.  It just makes that layer pop, and I love it.

Stamps:  Madison Avenue, Alhambra jumbo wheel

Ink:  Island Indigo Classic Ink Pad

Paper:  Island Indigo, Pool Party, Calypso Coral, and Whisper White card stock, and International Bazaar DSP

Accessories:  Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Big Shot, 1 1/4" and 1 3/8" Circle punches, pearls, sponge

Just Thinking

I love free stamps!  And I got a lot of them at Leadership!  Everyone received this stamp, which was super exciting.  I didn't waste any time putting it to use and came up with this card.  This card also uses the Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper, one of my favorites.  I think it works perfectly with this stamp.  I colored directly onto the rubber with my Stampin' Write markers and it turned out beautifully...or so you think.  I actually moved the stamp a little bit so the top is blurry.  But it's nothing a strategically placed bow can't fix!  When I first started stamping, I was all about perfection. But I quickly learned that nothing we make has to be perfect...those little imperfections are what give it a handmade feel and make it uniquely our own.  So if you're holding back because you're afraid of making a mistake, don't.  You can create beautiful projects, and I can even teach you how to cover up your mistakes. :)

Stamps:  Just Thinking

Ink:  Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Summer Starfruit, and Midnight Muse Stampin' Write Markers

Paper:  Comfort Cafe DSP, Cajun Craze, Soft Suede, Very Vanilla, and Midnight Muse card stock

Accessories:  Big Shot, Square Lattice Embossing Folder, Crochet Trim, Pearls, Distressing Tool, sponge (edges of center image)

New Single Stamps!

You wanted more? You got more! We've had a great response so far to our experiment with single stamps. So much so that we are making ten more never-before-seen images (like the one above) available as single stamps available through March 31, 2013.

Here are the details:

• You can find the stamp item numbers on the flyers (see below).

• Single stamps can be ordered in my online store.

• These won't be sent in our typical cases or packaging; they'll be packaged in cello bags. If you'd like a case for your stamp, you can buy our Clear-Mount Stamp Cases that come in packs of four (item 119105).

• This offer is available for clear-mount stamps only.

• The stamps won't come with a Clear-Mount Block, and you'll need to buy a block separately if you don't already have one. The recommended block sizes can be found on the flyer. 

• There's no limit on how many pieces you can buy (so you should get them all!)

• These stamps are only available through March 31, 2013, so get them while you can!

Best of 25 Years Stamps

As part of our 25-year anniversary celebration, we're bringing back some of our favorite stamp images from the last quarter century and combining them into 12 sets, which will release-one set per month-during 2013. Even better, along with some great classic images, each "Best of" set will also include a never-before-seen image!

Some things to remember:

• All Best of stamp sets will include 3-5 images, including a never-before seen image, and will be priced at $14.95.
• While we are releasing just one Best of stamp set per month (with a new theme each month), all of the Best of sets will be available until March 31, 2014.
• A new flyer will be released every month for each new Best of set.
• All Best of stamp sets are available in Clear-Mount only.

As a special incentive to collect the Best of stamps, starting in February we're including a collector's card and 25-year proof of purchase sticker with every Best of set. Collect six stickers, and send it in to redeem a FREE set of your choice valued up to $14.95! Free sets must be redeemed no later than April 30, 2014.

Want the January set, Best of Birthdays?  Click here to order online, or contact me to place your order!

Stampin' Up! Leadership Swaps (Part 2)

OK, I lied.  I only have 19 swaps to show you.  I did take 20, but one of them went on the display boards.  Anyway, here are the rest:

 

 by Pamela Sneath

 by Cheryl Flynn

 by Sherron Karasek

 by Holly Middagh

 by Sue DeAngelo

 by Christine Ekrem

 by Karen Duke

by Joyce Hunt

Stampin' Up! Leadership Swaps (Part 1)

 I thought I'd show off the swaps that I got at Leadership.  I only made twenty, so there's not a lot to show.  But at least you get to see all of them! 

 by Barbara Jackson

 by Janet Levasseuk

 by Dianne Logeais

 by Diane Klieger

 by Diane Hughes

 by Kathie Rotti

 by Laura Malone

 by craftdoc.com

 by Pearl Robb

 by Jeanne Kooker

by Gail DeRea

Dude, You're Welcome

Guys don't always have the easiest time expressing themselves, but with the Dude, You're Welcome! kit, they'll have

• Four wood-mount stamps (double-mounted) with the perfect sentiment for every occasion
• Twelve 4" x 6" postcards in four different (manly) colors
• Twelve gray envelopes
• A Basic Gray Classic Stampin' Pad
• An instructional guide (for the most novice stamper!)

Basically, the kit includes everything a dude needs to create the perfect manly card that any woman would adore, all packaged in an appropriately masculine box.

Item	Description	Price
132807	Dude, You're Welcome! Kit	$24.95

New!! Paper Pumpkin Monthly Subscription

Sweep away the mundane-your creativity carriage awaits!

I'm Paper Pumpkin . . .
I come to your door each month (a fully decked-out creativity carriage). I'll help you to escape your life with some paper fun.
I come in a sweet box, but you'll really love what you find on the inside:
All the stamps, ink, paper, and accessories to create pinable projects. Create stuff like cards, journals, décor, and more!
Paper Pumpkin by Stampin' Up! is a new monthly kit program that anyone (even you) can enjoy!

Get Started

It's so easy to get started. Simply sign up for the program starting Monday, January 14 (that's TODAY!) by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it (don't forget to choose me as your demonstrator!) Every month a new, surprise project kit arrives at your doorstep. Just think of the anticipation of creating a fun project to pin, showoff, and share with your friends and family-every month!
Of course, you'll want to know more. So here's the nitty gritty:

• Each month we send you a unique, surprise kit with a project-cards, journals, décor, and more! (We've even color-coordinated, measured, and cut everything for you!)
• Each kit includes stamps, ink, paper, and accessories-everything but adhesive.
• Each kit gives you a 30-minute creativity escape.
• We will ship your Paper Pumpkin on or around the 15th of the month.  
• You need to sign up for a kit by the 10th of the month to get that month's kit. If you sign up on the 11th of the month, your first kit will come the next month. (Let's say you sign up on May 10th, we'll send your kit around May 15th. If you sign up on May 11th, we'll send your first kit around June 15th.)
• A Paper Pumpkin membership is $19.95 per month (and shipping is included!)
• There's no commitment, you can cancel your monthly Paper Pumpkin at anytime. You can also skip a month if you want.
• Starting in early March, we'll offer a Try-It kit if you'd like to try Paper Pumpkin for one month.

Here's How You Order

Sign up for your monthly Paper Pumpkin starting Monday, January 14 by visiting www.mypaperpumpkin.com and click Get it.
Starting in early March, you can try Paper Pumpkin for one month by visiting my online store.

These kits are AMAZING!  I was given TWO of them at Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference, and they are fantastic!  If you'd like to see what's included, just let me know, and we can arrange a time to get together.  I'd be happy to let you take a peek and answer any questions you have!  Also, details will be coming soon about a FREE club where we'll make the project kits together.  Just let me know if you're interested!

Swap Card

This past week I was in Orlando at Stampin' Up!'s Leadership Conference.  I've never gone to a big SU! event, so this was a first for me.  One of the highlights for many people at SU! events is to swap card fronts.  It's just the front of a card that you can trade with other demonstrators, in order to get new ideas.  This is the card I took to swap, and while some people make hundreds of swaps, I stuck with just 20.  I'm sure it would have been great fun to swap every day I was there, but what do I need with a million card fronts? :)  Check back later in the week, because I'll be posting the swaps I received.

My card uses the new Honeycomb Embossing Folder, which is super-trendy right now.  I love it!  When paired with the Core'dinations Card Stock and a sanding block, the result is amazing.  I love how the lighter shade of brown shows through after it's been embossed and lightly sanded.  I used a couple of strips of Comfort Cafe Designer Series Paper at the bottom, and stamped one of my all time favorites, the flowers from Just Believe.  I punched that with the 2 1/2" Circle Punch and sponged the edges.  The final details include the sentiment banner, and a little ribbon from behind the flowers.  This card was simple, yet doesn't look like it was!

Editing to add that I was positive that the Early Espresso Core'dinations had carried over to the Spring Catalog, but guess what...that's right, it didn't.  It's a good thing I didn't make more of these!  My apologies to any demonstrators out there who received a card with retired product on it!

Stamps:  Just Believe

Ink:  Crumb Cake and Summer Starfruit markers, Whisper White Craft Ink

Paper:  Early Espresso Core'dinations, Crumb Cake, and Very Vanilla Card Stock

Accessories:  Summer Starfruit Stitched Satin Ribbon, 2 1/2" Circle Punch, Honeycomb Embossing Folder, Itty Bitty Banners Framelits, sanding block

Peekaboo...Happy Day to You!

This is a fun little card I made using the Peekaboo Frames die.  I bought these to make an advent calendar, but they aren't just for a single use.  This little circle makes a fun element on a card.  This would be great for a child's card, because what kid can't resist opening that little window?

Stamps: Friendly Phrases, Bright Blossoms

Ink:  Old Olive, Island Indigo, and Daffodil Delight Classic Ink

Paper:  Whisper White, Daffodil Delight, and Island Indigo card stock, Summer Smooches DSP

Accessories:  Peekaboo Frames Bigz L Die, Daffodil Delight Seam Binding Ribbon, Chevron Embossing Folder

Nifty Notebook

Happy New Year!  I'm a little later saying that than I had planned to be.  After we got home from our unexpected trip, I got sick.  Really sick.  I rarely get sick, and rarely get the flu, but I got hit hard on New Year's Day.  Ugh.  Not fun.  I'm glad to be feeling much better now, and hopefully no one else in my family will get it!

I thought I'd share this fun little notebook that I made for my friend for her birthday.  We both turned 40 in December, and have had a great time celebrating.  We took an overnight trip to our alma matter this past weekend, staying in the guest house on campus.  It was great, since the students hadn't returned, and the campus was empty.  We had lovely weather and got to do lots of relaxing.  It was a fun way to celebrate and a great way to start a new year.

Anyway, I used a clear case from Stampin' Up! and decorated it with Designer Series Paper.  This paper is OLD, so it's no longer available, but from all my paper, this is the one that I thought best fit her.  I didn't have a single piece of purple DSP, which really would have been ideal, but I like the funky little flowers, and I think they are fitting for her.  I put a fun little monogram on the front to personalize it.

The inside is simple, with a small notepad, a pen, and a little envelope for any receipts or random items she may want to hang onto.  This was an easy and fun project to make, and I think that I'll be making more in the future!